Interview with the Legendary Cheech Marin

Richard Marin, more commonly known as Cheech Marin, originally rose to fame as part of the stoner duo Cheech and Chong. Nowadays, Cheech is a writer, an avid art collector, and businessman. He recently released his cannabis brand Cheech’s Private Stash here in Nevada and we had the chance to chat with him about this […]

Richard Marin, more commonly known as Cheech Marin, originally rose to fame as part of the stoner duo Cheech and Chong. Nowadays, Cheech is a writer, an avid art collector, and businessman. He recently released his cannabis brand Cheech’s Private Stash here in Nevada and we had the chance to chat with him about this and his many other ventures.

Tahoe Cannabis Magazine: How did the Cheech and Chong personas come to be?

​Cheech Marin: Just us being ourselves and having fun!!​

TCM: Do you and Tommy Chong still work together? And if so, on what projects? How is your relationship with Chong today?

Cheech: Tommy and I still appear around the country and at a variety of venues. We took a break from touring for many years – but are now back on the road and having fun. Tommy and I will always be brothers.

TCM: Your cannabis line “Cheech’s Private Stash” just hit shelves in Vegas and you recently toured our dispensaries – what did you think and what types of products will we see from this line in the future?

Cheech: We look to expand the brand to all categories in the future. We had a great reception to the line in Las Vegas and look forward to spending more time in the area to meet with consumers to learn what they look forward to seeing from CPS in the future. I really want to work on a wellness line with my daughter Jasmine.

TCM: What other states do you have cannabis products in?

Cheech: We recently launched in California, and are just about to launch in Colorado after the 1st of the year. Washington State, and then New Jersey are up next. We are also very excited to be launching in Canada in 2018 – wow a whole country!

TCM: How did you connect with Redwood Cultivation here in Nevada?

Cheech: When we started looking for the right partner in Nevada, everything pointed towards Redwood. We hit it off immediately as we had very similar ideas about the cannabis arena. We like to work closely with our growers. It’s not just a business agreement, we are family.

TCM: You also have an extensive Chicano art collection – what led you to collecting?

Cheech: I started out collecting Chicano art in a small way – and my love for Chicano art kept growing, as well as my interest in sharing this art with the world. Today, I have amassed about 700 pieces in my collection that I exhibit all over the world. I am very excited to be teaming up with the city of Riverside, California to develop the Cheech Marin Center of Chicano Art, Culture & Industry at Riverside Art Museum to be launched in 2020.

TCM: You have a mezcal brand that you launched a couple of years ago, can you tell us a little about that?

Cheech: We are having a great time with Tres Papalote Mezcal. When I decided to bring an alcohol brand to the market, mezcal seemed to be the perfect match. As a Mexican agave product it certainly fit the bill. I have been a lover of mezcal for many years and it is now an emerging category. I enjoy experimenting with interesting and diverse specialty cocktails. As I always say, meet the magic of mezcal, anyone can drink tequila.

TCM: Within your line, do you have a favorite strain? Has your cannabis usage changed from the early days of Cheech and Chong to now?

Cheech: I love all the strains, each and every one of them, or they would not get the “Cheech approval”. The usage of cannabis has certainly changed. For one thing, there is a great value for the medicinal effects. It is so much more readily accepted than back in the day. And, I believe we will see more and more benefits being discovered in the next few years. Everywhere I travel people tell me how cannabis has saved their life.

TCM: Now in your seventies, did you ever think you would see the day that the states began legalizing cannabis? What more do you think can be done to progress the legalization movement?

Cheech:I could only imagine legalization, and here it is. People need to be educated about cannabis, its great benefits and how to be compliant with the state laws. I was recently asked by the Secretary of State of California, Alex Padilla, to take part in a public service announcement encouraging people to learn the facts about the legalization of recreational cannabis in 2018. Understanding the law and abiding is the best way we can all move the cannabis industry forward.

TCM: What is your favorite thing about Vegas?
​Cheech: I love Las Vegas. I always have fun, and enjoy all the great restaurants. I haven’t found anything I don’t like about it yet.

TCM: Any last words before we close out this interview?
​Cheech: Yes, smoke weed!!

TCM: How can we follow you on social media and the web?

Cheech: Check out my website online at cheechsprivatestash.com. You can also follow me on twitter @cheechmarin and on Instagram @cheechsprivatestash.